Dogs are just as exposed to disease as humans are, and they can catch or develop a wide variety of illnesses. Cushing’s disease is one of the nastiest ones that your dog can get.
Cushing’s disease (also called hyperadrenocorticism) is characterized by the overproduction of the hormone called cortisol. This hormone is produced by the adrenal gland, and is released by the body when the dog is stressed. It alters the metabolism, preparing the dog to either fight or flee, by releasing sugar, fat and retaining water and sodium. That is why one of the symptoms is an excess of drinking and urinating. Cushing’s disease is more frequent in smaller breeds or old dogs in general. Because of the high level of cortisone, cells are frequently prone to injury.
Your dog will exhibit multiple symptoms when developing Cushing’s disease. The bad news is that many of these symptoms are also common to other types of disease, so properly identifying is not easy, and misdiagnosing is not uncommon. That is why it is best to consult your veterinarian if your dog shows the following symptoms: excessive drinking and peeing (as mentioned earlier), increased appetite and eating, muscle wastage, hair loss, skin problems, wounds that heal slowly, general sickness, bad mood, and, the most obvious one, a Pot Belly.
Discovering the symptoms is one thing, and discovering the cause is another. Without discovering what caused the disease in the first place, you will not be able to properly choose the right treatment for your dog. There are many possible causes for Cushing’s disease. The most common one is a tumor on the adrenal glands or problems with the pituitary gland. Age and stress can also be factors, but if your dog is young and shows such symptoms, then these are out of the question. Certain drugs, such as Prednisone can also worsen the condition. The most common used methods of diagnosis employed by vets are a urinalysis or blood tests. The most accurate one is called low dose dexamethasone suppression test, and it is effective 90% of the time, and effects are visible in about 8 hours after the injection is administered.
Once it is discovered that your dog suffers from Cushing’s, there are a number of treatments to choose from. Certain drugs can be used, such as Lysodren, Trilostane, Ketoconazole, Anipryl, L-deprenyl, etc. Some of these, such as Lysodren, can have some drastic side effects. Trilostane is a new drug and is known to have fewer side effects. Anipryl is also considered a safe bet. All of these drugs require that your dog take them regularly and under the supervision of a specialist.
The three most effective antioxidants that fight Cushing’s are Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Selenium. These work best when combined (ask your vet about quantity). Certain herbs, such as Ginkgo Biloba are said to be efficient in reducing cortisol production. Only use these as a supplement, not an alternative to treatment, and consult your vet first. In the most extreme of cases, surgery might also be a possibility, so be ready for anything.
If you think your dog has Cushing’s disease, immediately seek medical attention, before the symptoms become more severe.
